by Adam Saldivar and River Richards
This is the time of year where Minarets students and staff would be coming together to take part in the fifth annual Community Day, a day where staff and students take part in a variety of community service activities. Community Day will be challenging this year because of the pandemic, but there are still ways to participate safely.
For example, science teacher Keeley Hall and a handful of students are helping out with the annual Adopt-a-Family program sponsored by the Minarets Future Farmers of America chapter. In this program, Minarets students collect and donate items to help out families in need.
Another way to participate is to write letters, suggested history teacher Ben Regonini. These letters could be sent to patients at local hospitals, like Valley Childrens, or seniors in retirement homes, two groups that are not able to get visitors due to the pandemic. Another idea is writing letters of appreciation for first responders, including doctors, nurses, and EMTs, who are on the frontlines of battling COVID.
But, of course, one of the best (and easiest) ways to help out the community this year is to wear a mask, socially distance, and stay home when you can to help fight the spread of COVID-19. Wearing masks and maintaining six feet apart means our community is one day closer to going back to in-person learning without the fear of COVID-19.
Even the large event of Community Day isn't occuring on campus, there are still ways for Minarets staff and students to keep the spirit alive by participating in safe community service activities. Whether it be by donations, letters to patients, or continuing to stop the spread of COVID-19, we can still do our part to make the world a better place.